When the power shut off for the second time in a week, Brandon lit a few candles and sat on his couch to read Gen’s book. Her very sexy, very arousing, very surprising book. He moved closer to the flames, then gave up on trying to see the words in the pale light. Good thing he had more candles.
He was walking to the kitchen for supplies when someone knocked at his door. He was prepared for the power outage, but not for Gen’s appearance and her shocking request.
“Brandon, I think you may have something I need.”
Oh yeah, I do.
“Excuse me?” he said.
She shifted her feet, drawing his gaze to the ragged hem of her thick terrycloth robe. Definitely not dressed for seduction. Still, he knew that hot little body was in there somewhere.
“I’m in a real bind. You might even say I’m desperate.”
Even in the semi-darkness of the emergency lights in the hallway, he could see her eyes glistening up at him. She’d come to him. For what? In three years she hadn’t so much as borrowed a cup of sugar. Not that he had any. Though for one glance under that robe, he’d run the six blocks to Joseph’s Market and buy all the sugar he could carry.
“Brandon?” She spoke his name on a sigh, sending heat down his body. His cock stirred to life and the blood began to pound at his temples. Crappy terrycloth or silk and lace, he wanted her. Bad.
He thought about the chapter he’d just read. The heroine had come to the laird’s chamber in the night, intent on seduction. Was Gen acting out her fantasies? Maybe she wanted a different kind of sugar.
He snaked out his arm to grab her by the belt, then tugged her over the threshold and closed the door behind her. She landed hard against his chest and placed her palms on his abdomen to move away. He slipped a hand inside her robe and felt silk.
He heard her breath catch, and his fingers grazed her nipple through the thin fabric. He stroked it with his thumb and growled low in his throat as the bud tightened beneath his touch. Silky.
Her breath hissed sharply in past her teeth before she stumbled back from his embrace.
“I- I need batteries. Batteries. You have any?” she sputtered.
Wow. Romance writers got right to the nitty gritty, didn’t they?
Gen’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment, but there she stayed, the neckline of her robe now dangerously open, a hint of lace and silk beckoning him closer.
“Honey, I can do much better than any sex toys.” He ignored her stunned expression and lifted her hair with one hand, allowing it to fall over her shoulder. With his other hand, he traced her jaw, holding her face as he descended for a kiss.
He could taste her breath on his tongue, knew the tang of her lips would be unforgettable, knew he had to kiss her now, or he’d explode.
Her eyelids lowered, and she swayed toward him. Suddenly she gave a little jump and backed away again.
“No, Brandon. I need batteries for my word processor.” She laughed nervously and maneuvered past him to stand next to the couch. “I’ve had the same batteries for three years now, and tonight, when I needed them most, they died.”
Word processor? Why hadn’t said that in the first place?

Description: When good girl Gen Downey turns her ER-doctor neighbor into the wild Scottish hero of her latest romance novel, she never dreams he’ll read it and catch onto her steamy fantasies. But he does more than that -- he helps her act out hot scenes from her book!
Genevieve Downey is a good girl with a deliciously naughty imagination, but she’s too shy to put that imagination to use in real life. Much safer to turn it loose in the romance novels she pens in her quiet, cozy apartment.

And it’s not like she has to leave her building to find inspiration. Just across the hall is Doctor Brandon Dalton, the ER physician with enough sex appeal for dozens of romance heroes. Too bad his job makes him a bad candidate for the role of real-life lover. Gen’s a doctor’s daughter, and she’s seen firsthand the heartache that comes from being a doctor’s wife. Too bad, because Brandon sure is hot!

When Brandon’s mail is crossed with Gen’s and he accidentally reads her royalty statement, he’s astonished to discover his sweetly innocent neighbor writes steamy historical romance. Astonished, and very definitely intrigued.

Is it a coincidence that the wild Scottish hero of Gen’s latest novel bears a strong resemblance to him? There’s only one way to find out -- don a kilt, cross the hall, and introduce his neighbor to The Doctor Next Door!

To My Readers: I hope you enjoy Gen and Brandon’s story. Sometimes the very thing about someone that we think we can’t live with - we discover we can’t live without!

Brandon, who’s very good looking, is an Emergency Room doctor with a busy schedule, but he’s never too busy to notice his lovely neighbor Gen. Gen is a thirty-year-old virgin. She’s gorgeous and she writes romance novels, in which she uses her hunky neighbor next door as a pattern for her heroes. But she will never date or get to know him because he is a doctor. Brandon, because of his profession, is ignored by Gen because of a fear she has that all doctors are alike. They are like her father, cold and self-serving. When she finally learns that Brandon is truly a nice guy and lets her guard down, they get together, date, and after she overcomes some of her fears, he asks her to marry him. Cute! Cute! Cute! This is a darling sensuous love story where two single neighbors who have admired each other from a distance for some time, finally come together. I completely enjoyed the relationship evolvement in this story, it was totally believable, and when Brandon dressed as a highland laird, complete with white billowy shirt and kilt, comes knocking at Gen’s door equipped with a picnic basket, full of traditional Scottish foods, I cracked up. He was just trying to fulfill one of Gen’s fantasies from the latest romance novel she had written, and which he had purchased, to better understand her. The scenario was completely believable as well as darling.

This is a cute story and well worth the read, this is a keeper; I will definitely read it again. Catherine Berlin sang in a band which helped her pay for college where she earned degrees in three languages. She ended up marrying the man who auditioned for drummer in the same band. He won the job and her heart, and they are married to this day.

~~ Desiree Douglas ~ Enchanting Reviews 5 Stars!

Kwips and Kritiques - Rating: 5 Klovers!

Brandon Dalton, MD is not usually a tongue-tied idiot. Unless he is face to face with Gen Downey, his next door neighbor. Every time he runs into her in the hallway, he is struck dumb. That is, until he mistakenly opens her mail and discovers she writes sexy historical romances. Suddenly Brandon is determined to capture Gen’s interest. And a power outage provides the perfect opportunity. Gen Downey can’t believe her dream guy is kissing and fondling her. The same man who she uses as the hero in her romance books. But how will he feel when he discovers she’s all talk with no experience? The Doctor Next Door by Catherine Berlin has it all! It’ll make you smile, keep your interest and make you sigh in the end! Blossoming romances just do it for me. I love it when best friends or in this case neighbors fall in love.

Catherine Berlin uses classic settings such as a power outage, injuries, and stalkers. Her use of these is not overdone, but rather lends to the overall story. The sex is explicit and wonderfully incorporated into this story. Brandon is determined to demonstrate all his qualities both in and out of the bed. Gen may not have any sexual experience, but her imagination more than makes up for it. Another great aspect of this book was the suspenseful moments. Gen decides to take an evening class and ends up in some pretty tense situations.

Catherine Berlin did a wonderful job incorporating this into the story. I especially loved how Gen doesn’t play the victim, but rather an empowered woman. Of course Brandon gets his moments too, but I’ll let you read the book to find out more. I loved every aspect of The Doctor Next Door by Catherine Berlin. It has all the elements of a neighbor romance and best of all it is written into a believable, romantic suspense story! This book gets 5 Klovers!

~~ Tina ~ Kwips and Kritiques

4.5 Blue Ribbons!

Dr. Brandon Dalton became a blithering idiot each time he saw his neighbor Genevieve Downey. He finally found an excuse to talk to the beautiful woman when her mail was delivered to him by mistake. A trip to the bookstore gave him a chance to discover what type of books she wrote. The Highland Lord was not the genre of book he would normall choose. Unknown to Brandon, he would soon be the hero in Gen’s next book. She found him extremely attractive. Brandon could hardly wait to read the romance book, especially the sexy parts. Gen’s heroes did not ask, they took what they wanted. She could not get him out of her mind. She could not resist his touch. The Doctor Next Door by Catherine Berlin is a delicious read. The plot is a mixture of passion with a touch of humor. The innocence of Gen and the maleness of Brandon make for a hot steamy relationship. Every damsel wants someone that will protect her. Berlin has a winner! Fans of romance will not want to miss The Doctor Next Door.

~~ Anne Boling ~~ ReviewYourBook.com 4.5 Blue Ribbons!

4 Stars!

"THE DOCTOR NEXT DOOR is more than just a simple fantasy being played out, it' s a wonderful story about next door neighbors who are attracted to each other but believe that a long-term relationship isn’t feasible. Gen thinks that the sort of hero she wants only lives in fantasies and books - Brandon can prove otherwise. Wonderful story Ms. Berlin! I' ll hope to see many more like this in the near future."

~~ Romance Junkies 4 Stars!

I really enjoyed The Doctor Next Door. It makes for a good light read. I had fun seeing shy Gen come out of her shell a little and become more independent as Brandon opened up to the possibility of love.... If you’re looking for a quick, light read about the beginning of a loving relationship, Catherine Berlin’s The Doctor Next Door is for you.